Re: Where information comes from

["Tom Sullivan" <tsullivan -at- netexpress -dot- net>]

Hey Y'all,

>From my perspective, this paragraph distills most of what has been written
and proffered in this thread down to its essence.


What bothers me is not so much the justification for illegal activities,
but the notable "anti-business" tone that is emerging from many
Internet-related issues.  From WTO to Microsoft's Antitrust case, there is
a growing notion that business is somehow a problem that must be
constrained.


There is, and has been, a noticeable, tangible socialistic thread being
woven throughout the fabric of American culture for the past sixty years.
It has been extremely incremental and highly covert in nature.  It has
decidedly erased many of our freedoms.  In its present form, it now takes on
a definitive pattern, rather than a simple thread.

Andrew, it is not simply a "notion", but rather it is a religion that gains
momentum daily, weekly, monthly, ad infinitum.  You can see the trail
through modern society, as clearly as you can see the carnage of a tornado
through a nearby neighborhood.  You can see the results of government
intervention in our private lives, touted as for the benefit and safety of
our people.  But who really benefits?

Furthermore, this cancer in our society views business as the enemy, rather
than just a "problem."  The growing, antagonistic relationship this movement
has with business believes that destruction of free enterprise is the
solution, as much as the movement would like us to believe that "constraint"
is its only motivation.

Recent history shows that gun manufacturers, tobacco companies, software
developers, pharmaceutical companies, and myriad other legitimate businesses
are being pursued by the hounds of hell in the form of the United States
Department of Justice.

Since the birth of the Social Security program, "temporary" entitlements
have emboldened a class of people in this country, spanning the generations,
who have drawn their first breath with their hands out.

We have been told that we can not legislate morality, but we see, day in and
day out, our legislators attempting to legislate business into oblivion.
NAFTA and GATT are but two of the treaties that have forced business out of
America and have created an imbalance of trade unseen heretofore.

The WTO is an entity that dictates business and trade practices and answers
to no one.  We are bound by their dictates, yet we did not elect the members
and we have no authority over their activities.

The ChiComs have MFN status and still continue to dictate the terms and
conditions of our relationship.  Free trade with China does not put American
businesses in a position of power, but rather forces America to invest in
China and push more industry and enterprise out of America.  Who benefits
from that arrangement?

I have letters from United States Senators saying that continuing MFN status
with China is in our best interest, when clearly nothing could be further
from the truth.  Pick up ten random (non-technology) products in any store
today and at least nine of them are made in China.  Importers and exporters
say that the reverse is not true in China.  So where is the equity in the
relationship with China, and who benefits from that relationship?

Why should Microsoft have to fight for its life simply because Bill Gates
(love him or hate him) would not play the political games in Washington,
D.C.?  Why should big tobacco be demonized for making and marketing a legal
product?  Why should gun manufacturers be held accountable for the actions
of criminals who decide to break the law with their products?  Why should
pharmaceutical companies be vilified for attempting to recoup the money they
have invested in R&D, marketing, and advertising to get their products out
to patients who really need them?

It seems that each question creates more questions.  Yet we get no answers
from our government, simply more rhetoric.  Business is what built this
country, and it has been business that has carried this country through its
toughest times.

Political correctness is an ideology that has gotten completely out of
control.  It is the vehicle through which many of our individual freedoms
have been erased.  It will continue to grow and ultimately become the
vehicle by which our thoughts and motives are determined.  You can see the
beginnings of this now, in the attacks on guns, tobacco, pharmaceuticals,
and other products.

The noticeable, tangible socialistic thread being woven throughout the
fabric of American culture for the past sixty years is now fast becoming a
smothering afghan being thrown over American business.  Its only a matter of
time before the funeral dirge begins and a new era of statist-commerce
commences.

Take care and be good to yourselves!

T


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